When my daughter was very small, one of her preschool teachers asked her what her favorite thing to do with her Mom was. Her answer: Go to Target. My children LOVE Target (and who are we kidding, so do I). There are many, many reasons to love Target but one of the biggest is Archer Farms.

Archer Farms makes so many delicious snacks and meal staples you’ll wish every time of day was meal time. We recently had the treat of sampling the popcorn! We were able to try the Golden and Midnight Blend Kernels and the Buffalo, Kettle Corn, and White Cheddar seasonings during a recent family movie night!

Em had to have a bowl of popcorn all to herself! She loved it!

My children were fascinated to see “real” popcorn as we usually just toss it into the microwave, so that added to the fun. The directions are easy to follow and we used the stovetop method since we don’t have a popcorn popper. This method worked great and we were excited to see hot, fluffy popcorn after it finished popping. After trying all the seasonings, my kids decided their fave was the Kettle Corn seasoning and hubby and I loved the Buffalo, which was a little spicy but gave the popcorn some real kick.

Archer Farms Products are a creative idea for a gift as well! These popcorn products would be fantastic in a basket along with a DVD or two for family movie night!! Tasty food at a tasty price is Archer Farms’ guarantee! Happy popping!

We have a friend who bakes an insane amount of cookies each Christmas. We are the joyful recipients each year of a tin full. Last year, there was a new cookie in the mix, and we all agreed it was awesome. We simply COULD NOT stop eating them. I had to have the recipe so I called my friend and was shocked to learn they were cookies made with PRINGLES POTATO CHIPS. WHAAAT? Haven’t made them? Trust me…..you can’t eat just one.

They are out of this world. Trust me. If you don’t think Potato Chip Cookies sound like something you would like, you can still enjoy Pringles straight-up at many a holiday gathering! My new addiction are the Multi-Grain! YUM! With a wide variety of flavors to suit anyone’s taste, everyone will be happy when you show up with Pringles! My kids adore the Snack Stix and I use them a lot in their lunches as an alternative to regular chips. Of course, my other favorite thing about Pringles is the can! They are perfect for on-the-go snacking without getting smushed! In fact, I think they are the perfect size to go in a Christmas stocking……what do you think? ;)

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of The Experimental Mommy. While a product sample was received to facilitate this post, all opinions remain 100% honest.

This Christmas has been an awakening for me. Long gone are the days of the “cutesy” toys for my son, who is almost 10. He wants all things BOY. 100% testosterone. The challenge has been finding things that are “cool” enough for him but safe enough for me! One perfect solution is Air Zone Blasters from Prime Time Toys!

Ready....Aim....FIRE!

Sold exclusively this season at Toys R Us, these brightly colored foam blasters will catch everyone’s attention! Affordably priced, Air Zone offers a variety of high-powered fun for your sharpshooters. My son loved his Quickfire Twin Pack and had a ball recently in the backyard with a friend. The foam darts mean that you can relax a little….they are soft enough to make play fun and safe, even indoors. Best of all, the darts and clips in the Air Zone blasters are universal. They will easily make the switch from one blaster to another. This is a really cool feature as some other blasters have darts that only work in certain shooters, making organization somewhat difficult. The bright colors mean they won’t get easily lost under the bed or in the bushes!

With two nephews that are close in age to my son, these will make perfect Christmas gifts for them too. Each year it becomes more and more difficult not over-spend, and with many Air Zone blasters priced in the $20 range, it’s easy to get a lot of bang for your buck! Any boy on your list would love this fun gift!

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of The Experimental Mommy. While a product was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.

The entire time I was pregnant with both of my children, I prayed. Of course, I prayed they would be healthy….but selfishly I prayed they would get their Daddy’s long legs and my teeth. I was blessed with perfectly straight, healthy teeth. Don’t be too jealous! I still got the adolescent experience of wearing coke-bottle glasses, but I never had to have braces.

Well, God has a sense of humor, because both of my children have had teeth issues galore. My son is currently in his first set of braces, with another set to come later. We’ve also had the fun experience of having a palate expander. Now, we all know how much fun it is to try and floss your child’s teeth, right? Try flossing your child’s teeth with a mouthful of metal. I’d rather walk on hot coals. That is, until we got the Waterpik Water Flosser. This product has literally changed my life.

To invest in the health of your teeth and gums is a no-brainer. We all know that good oral health and hygiene takes time and daily commitment. The Waterpik Water Flosser is more effective than string floss, and more fun, too! A study at the University of Nebraska found that adding a water flosser to tooth brushing was up to 93% more effective at improving gum health than toothbrushing and string flossing. Whether using a manual or sonic-powered toothbrush, adding a water flosser resulted in better reductions in gum bleeding, gingivitis, and plaque, the common signs of gum disease. That’s why I was overjoyed to test out both the Ultra Water Flosser and the the Water Flosser For Kids.

My son is diligent about using his Water Flosser. Hooray!

We recently spent an afternoon at the dentist and then the orthodontist the following week. Both the dentist AND the orthodontist commented how clean my son has been keeping his teeth! I was so excited as Nicolas has been in braces on the top for just about a year and I have been a nervous wreck about him keeping his teeth clean around the braces. We have worked really hard on brushing, but until the Water Pik Flosser became part of his daily routine, I really don’t think our flossing was effective enough. For one thing, it took so long I always felt like we weren’t thorough enough. He loves the water flosser and I NEVER have to remind him to use it because he loves it. He even commented how his mouth felt so clean!

Not to be left out, I have been using the Ultra Water Flosser and I love it. With different tips for different jobs, my overall gum and oral health has never been better. Water Pik products would be a perfect gift for anyone this year to show them you care about their health!

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @Waterpik on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Unlimited! (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

This post is the opinion Jennifer of Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% mine.

I was shopping with a friend this morning and she was all excited because she got a charm for her niece’s charm bracelet as a Christmas gift. The reason she was excited is because she got it half off. While impressed with the charm, I had sticker shock, even at the half off price! These popular bracelets can break you! I told my friend it was too bad she didn’t already know about Cutey! Based in the UK and founded in 2011, Cutey provides a quality range of customizable jewelry. Their initial range is designed as an everyday accessory that can be used at any time. The range is designed with the ability to be easily changed, allowing the jewelry to be changed based on mood, time or outfit. Best of all, Cutey is affordable!

With a wide variety of charms, all at an affordable price, Cutey bracelets would make a perfect gift for anyone on your list, or as a treat to yourself. I received a Moirae charm bracelet and I love it! I can easily change out the charms to suit what I am wearing and it goes perfectly with a variety of things I wear on a regular basis. It’s well-made and not so heavy that it weighs my wrist down. Another favorite is the Aether bracelet. I love the combination of colors on this one!

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @CuteyJewellery on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 12th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.

My children prefer to bring their lunches to school on a daily basis. The only downfall (besides the fact that this means I pack 360 lunches in a school year) is that they get sandwich burn-out. I am always looking for ways to vary it up so that they don’t get bored. One great way to add some variety, nutrition, and taste to your sandwiches is Rudi’s Organic Bakery! Never heard of Rudi’s before? They’ve got 30 years of experience! From the website: “Over 30 years ago, the founders of Rudi’s Organic couldn’t find a bread that was good enough to make their families happy. They had a healthy, holistic & optimistic approach to life and believed that eating healthy went along with being happy. They wanted food, and specifically bread, that fit this belief.”

Not only does Rudi’s sell organic breads, rolls, and buns, they also have a gluten-free line for individuals who need gluten-free foods as part of their healthy diet. Recently, they were also recognized as one of the top foods for vegetarians. Why buy Rudi’s organic? Rudi’s breads are free from potentially harmful synthetic ingredients, chemical pesticides and fertilizers. Rudi’s products are USDA Certified Organic, which tells you that at least 95% of their ingredients are organic. This is good for you, your family and the environment.

Em is loving her ham on Rudi's toasted Sourdough bread!

Rudi’s sent my family a loaf of Harvest Seeded Bread and Rocky Mountain Sourdough. My kids both loved the Harvest Seeded Bread, which is baked with pumpkin and sunflower seeds with organic whole wheat flour, oat bran and cornmeal for an incredible texture and taste. The Sourdough is delicious too, and it’s easy to see (or taste) why it’s one of Rudi’s most popular breads. We thoroughly enjoyed both during a recent Saturday lunch! The kids asked if I could send “that good bread” in their lunchboxes on Monday!

What I liked the most about both varieties is that the list of ingredients was easy to read and pronounce! Check out Rudi’s Website for a store near you where you can be tempted by their delicious variety of breads.

GIVEAWAY

One winner will receive two coupons for a free loaf of

Rudi’s bread and 2 sandwich boxes!

How to Enter:

1. Tell me which variety of Rudi’s breads that you are most excited to try!

Additional entries:

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @RudisOrganic on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

As the Thanksgiving holidays approach and another Hurricane Season comes to a close, I am thankful. While I am always thankful for what we have, I feel as if my life and attitude forever changed during Hurricane Katrina. In the days after the storm, we had to learn to live without. Without power, fuel, the simple ability to wash clothes or shower, and worst of all in my opinion, the ability to prepare food and eat a normal meal with my family. My children, at their young ages, can’t fathom what it means to be unable to take care of yourself in a time of crisis or natural disaster. They have no memory of our family having to spend hours in line once a local grocery got up and running to try and buy emergency foods that wouldn’t spoil due to lack of refrigeration. Once we were able to get a few things to eat, the problem came of dealing with emergency food storage. Most of what we could buy was ready-to-eat, but for staples the kids needed like milk, the lack of ice was a serious issue. Not to mention, we all bore the frustration of having thrown away hundreds of dollars in food from our refrigerators and freezers as it all spoiled after the power went out…..too bad we didn’t have food insurance!

A "Katrina Fridge." Lovely, isn't it?

So this year, as I prepare our turkey, mash our potatoes, and bake our pies, I will remember those that have to go without, whether it be temporary or a part of their life. And, I will thank God for the experience we had….for although hard, it made me more grateful for what I have today.

Looking for a neat gift idea for your ‘tween or teen that’s not another electronic device? Look no further than the new Rockboard Scooter! Combining the propulsion of a bicycle with the practicality of a kick-scooter, the new Rockboard scooter will catch your kid’s interest and the attention of all the neighbors.

Available in both the full-size version that can hold up to 200 pounds and the mini that can hold up to 90, both are available in a variety of colors and will get your kids out and about with its sleek style and fast capabilities. The more you rock, the faster you go!

My 9 1/2 year old son was very excited to test out the full-size Original Rockboard Scooter. After a few minor adjustments from the box, he was on board and ready to roll. It took him just a couple of minutes to get the hang of the motion and then he was zooming all over the street. I liked how this scooter has him moving his legs, unlike the electric scooter he has. While he loves that one too, he obviously gets more exercise with the Rockboard and that is definitely a plus in my book! Built to last, it features reinforced handlebar assembly for safety and an oversized nylon coupler that allows handlebars to be folded for compact storage. The height adjustment lock on the scooter lets you adjust the handles to your exact height, and the comfort grip and aluminum alloy brake handle allow for hours of Rockboarding with perfect control on the pavement. The two-position locking joint for dual-mode scooter capability and easy folding lets you take it anywhere.

Getting the hang of it!

The Rockboard Scooter is available at Target or Amazon and it’s a MUST for your Santa list! We are incredibly excited that we have one to give away as well! You don’t want to miss out on this innovative new ride-on!

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @RBScooter on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

Contest ends at 11:59pm CST on December 6th. Prizes not claimed in 72 hours will be forfeited. Open to U.S. Residents only.

This post is the opinion of Jennifer of the Experimental Mommy. Others may have a differing opinion of the product. While a sample was received to facilitate this review, all opinions remain 100% honest.

It seems like every year, stores put out the holiday items earlier and earlier. This gets me excited and nervous at the same time! One of things I always love to get crossed off my to-do list is our Christmas cards! Luckily, a talented friend of mine just took some great pictures of my kids for me, so when I got the chance to get my cards from Minted.com, I was jumping for joy!

Minted.com is the top-notch website to get your Holiday cards without paying a mint! Not only do they have the best designs in town, but from now until November 28th, Minted.com is offering Experimental Mommy Readers 15% off of your orders by entering the code READERS when prompted at checkout!

I love cards like this that are full-photo! This one is really tasteful and timeless!

Ordering from Minted.com is a snap. Once you decide on a design (and this is the hardest part because they are all fabulous), you simply upload your photo, type in your text, and you’re all set! Minted.com offers the “Find it fast!” option so that you can view your photo in many cards at once to help narrow down your decision as quickly as possible. Card choices vary from the traditional to the whimsical, and offer styles for one, two, or three or more photos. You can even select your choices down by format or style. I finally settled on the Holiday Dot Christmas Photo Cards and I love them!

Worried that even if it’s this simple your holiday-crazed brain will botch it up? No worries! Minted.com will send you via email a sample within a day or so for you to proof! Once that’s done, you will get notification that your cards are on the way! The timeline from project to print is so fast, blink and you’ll miss it!

Don’t forget to check out Minted.com for Holiday gifts too! From stationery to journals and notebooks, they have got many beautiful and customizable options for everyone on your list. Even better, Minted.com offers a referral program that can’t be beat! Follow them on Facebook and Twitter for more news that’s really worth a mint!

For yucky, rainy, or sick days, kids’ computer games can be a lifesaver. This happened in my house recently when I was sidelined for a week with a terrible flu-like sickness. While my fever was running its course, my children were left to entertain themselves. Thankfully, I recently had the opportunity to review a brand-new interactive game for kids ages 5-12 called Little Space Heroes!

Little Space Heroes is a fun and safe multiplayer online game for boys and girls in every part of the galaxy! Part of the intrigue of Little Space Heroes is that you create your very own Space Hero and explore galaxies full of different planets instead of just being stuck in just one land or world. Players can create their hero, explore the galaxies, try their hand at challenging quests and missions, team up for group-based play. If Moms or Dads are worried about online content, you don’t have to be with Little Space Heroes. Suitability of content and safety is an important component of the game. Rated E for Everyone, multiple safety features are integrated into the site including trained game moderators, age-appropriate content, word filters, and 24/7 customer support. Need more reassurance? Check out the Parent information page.

Kids will love zooming around with their jetpacks!

Both of my kids thoroughly enjoyed the game! They loved the fun, colorful graphics and getting to create their own characters. Both kids really liked learning how to use their jet packs so they could zip around through the galaxy. Little Space Heroes kept them both entertained for an afternoon so that I could get some much needed rest!

1. Blog about this giveaway and link to The Not-So-Blog (10 extra entries).

2. Follow me (@BridgetteLA) and @LilSpaceHeroes on Twitter and Tweet this giveaway. Every time you tweet you get an additional entry! Limited to 10 a day, please. (You must have over 50 Twitter followers to qualify for unlimited entries!)

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About the Author

Bridgette is the Owner/Editor of Experimental Mommy. A full time Mom of two daughters (ages 5 and 8) and lab technician, Bridgette has been blogging about the latest products for Mom, Baby and Kid since 2008.

In 2009, Bridgette co-founded a consultation service, Double Duty Divas, LLC in order to connect brands and bloggers. Expanding on this business, she also co-owns a blog conference, Reviewer's Retreat, which is geared towards strengthening relationships between bloggers and brands. [Read More …]